By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, November 15, 2024
Photo credit: Mubadala DC Citi Open Facebook
Buckle Up: Nick Kyrgios has booked his Brisbane return.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has committed to launching his Tour-level comeback at the Brisbane International set for December 29-January 5, 2025.
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The 29-year-old Kyrgios joins compatriots Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson and his former girlfriend, Ajla Tomljanovic in the Brisbane field.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Frances Tiafoe, Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune and Sebastian Korda have also committed to competing in Brisbane.
The owner of seven ATP singles titles, Kyrgios has been sidelined by knee and wrist issues and has not played a Tour-level match since falling in the Stuttgart first round in June of 2023.
Since then, Kyrgios has returned to the Tour as a tennis television analyst, working for ESPN and Tennis Channel, and host of his popular Good Trouble podcast.
Former world No. 13 Kyrgios said he's fit and fired up to return to the Tour in front of home fans.
"The Brisbane International has always been a great event and I have had some amazing memories there, particularly when I won the event in 2018,” Kyrgios said. “I am feeling fit and healthy, and I am excited for my return to tennis following some time out of the sport.
“It has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today, one of the goals I had set was to be able to play during the Aussie summer, so I am excited that I get to start in Brisbane which is one of my favourite tournaments. I am looking forward to being back out on court in front of the Aussie crowds.”
The explosive Kyrgios, whom coach Patrick Mouratoglou calls the game's best server, aims to launch his return playing an exhibition in December. Kyrgios plans to play the Abu Dhabi exhibition this December followed by the Brisbane International in preparation for the Australian Open, set for January 12-26, 2025.
Injury-induced inactivity has caused Kyrgios to drop from the ATP rankings, but the man who partnered buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the 2022 Australian Open doubles crown will be a likely wild card recipient from Tennis Australia.
The question is: Can Kyrgios regain his health, fitness, form and desire to travel the Tour, which he's admitted has caused him depression mental duress in the past being away from his family for prolonged periods.
If Kyrgios posts up healthy, could we see him play singles and doubles in Melbourne?
In his last Grand Slam singles appearance, Kyrgios knocked off defending champion Daniil Medvedev to reach the 2022 US Open quarterfinals, losing to Karen Khachanov in five physical sets.
Brisbane International adult ticket prices start from $30 and a family pass (two adults and two children) starts from $60.
Tickets for the Brisbane International are on sale through Ticketmaster.